The Romeo Club (20 page)

A handprint spread across his cheek as I pushed past him. Up ahead, I saw Bart coming toward us. He rammed his shoulder into C.C. causing him to drop his school books.

“You guys think you can move in on our territory? Get our girls?” Bart stared at the Nerd Herd.

“N-no,” C.C. said as he bent down to pick up his things.

“That’s right, you can’t.” Bart laughed like a hyena on drugs.

My fingers dug into my folders as I stepped in front of him. “Jealous, Bart? Worried these guys are competition? That girls actually want nice guys instead of dickheads like you, who go to parties and sleep with Tara Tolliver while their girlfriend is at a dance competition?”

His face reddened. From behind me, I heard Jasmine gasp.

“Bart?” she said.

He didn’t answer.

My gaze focused on Bart, Rex, and their posse who stood around us. “Instead of making fun of these guys, you should be taking notes and studying what they do. Because someday, they’re gonna go places, while the rest of you idiots will try to remember and relive that time in high school when you were
so
popular. For most of you, this is gonna be the highlight of your life.” Tears welled in my eyes as more people gathered. “But I tell you what, I’d rather spend hours studying with them, than two-minutes on a date with any of you.”

Kenadi pushed through the throngs and joined me. “Amen.”

Through the crowd, Trey caught my gaze. His eyes softened for a moment, before he looked away. I hoped he’d forgive me for not realizing things sooner, and for everything that happened with Portia.

A couple teachers made their way down the hall and the groups of people dispersed. My pulse thundered in my ears.
I can’t believe I just did that.
But I was glad I did. Someone needed to say something. It might cost me my place at their table, but in all honesty, I didn’t care anymore.

C.C. joined me, his hand squeezed my shoulder. “If I haven’t said it before, you’re pretty badass when you want to be.”

I smiled. “Yeah, well they had it coming.”

“I’m thinking we might need to call an emergency TRC meeting tonight,” he said.

“Agreed.” Kevin joined us.

“Okay, be at my house after soccer practice. Let Trey and Drake know,” I said, right as the warning bell sounded.

***

When I got home, I found the guys, minus Trey, waiting for me in the family room. I dropped my bag on the floor and sank onto the couch beside my brother. He draped an arm around me and I nestled my head against his shoulder.

C.C. leaned forward in his chair. “Trey said he couldn’t make it, so I guess we can get started. First question, what the hell happened, and how did everyone find out about this?”

My throat tightened as I sat up, curling my legs beneath me. “I—it’s partially my fault. I—that is, me and Trey got into a huge fight by the band room the other day. Part of it had to do with the Romeo Club. And well, Portia overheard us. So I’m assuming when Trey went after her, he probably explained what was going on. And, well, she probably opened her mouth. I-I’m so sorry guys. If I wouldn’t have cornered Trey, none of this would’ve happened.”

My vision blurred as tears welled in my eyes. I wrung my hands together in my lap.

Drake glanced at me. “What were you and Trey fighting about?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it right now.”

Kevin put his arms behind his head and readjusted his yellow beanie. “It’s not the end of the world. So, we paid Delyla to help us out. I don’t regret doing it. Who the hell cares what Bart says or does? The guy’s a dillhole.”

C.C. paced back and forth. “Yeah, it’s not like we’re any worse off than we were before joining TRC.”

“But what about Liza and Melanie and Chloe?”

Kevin chuckled. “Well, Melanie doesn’t go to our school, so I doubt it’ll matter to her.”

“Chloe didn’t even bring it up today,” Drake said. “I’m assuming she doesn’t care. Besides, you’re my sister, I’m not gonna hold you responsible for something I asked you to do.”

“Same with Liza, she never mentioned it all,” C.C. said. “You’re probably the one who will see the most backlash from this. You had a lot more to lose than us.”

“It’s fine. I’m done pretending to be something I’m not, you know.” I smiled. “Besides, I have you guys and Kenadi—that’s enough for me.”

“Then let me give you the official welcome into the Nerd Herd.” Drake put me in a headlock, while the other two dove on top of me in a massive pile-on.

I laughed as they messed up my hair and hummed the song to Dragons of Iconia. School would be kind of weird for a while, but I knew I’d be okay.

Chapter 30

Over the next couple weeks, Trey avoided me, like I had a case of the chicken pox. If I came home from soccer and he was there he’d stop whatever he was doing and leave. The Nerd Herd of course, asked what’d gotten into him, but I shrugged and pretended like I had no idea what was wrong.

At school, if we passed in the hall he ignored me or he’d turn and walk in the other direction. However, Portia seemed more attached to him than ever. Seriously it was like someone had velcroed their hips together and they couldn’t come apart unless pried with a crowbar. Every time I saw them together it was like someone staked me with a two-by-four through the heart.

Of course the prom committee was getting out of control with their constant reminders of the “big day”. Posters hung in every hall, outside of and in the cafeteria, in the gym, on lockers. Announcements were made every morning over the loud speakers. It was like I was running across the prom warzone. A constant reminder of the huge failure I was. Not that I needed to go, but, well, things should’ve been different. I’d been planning for prom since like first grade.

With a sigh, I slammed my locker door shut and headed for soccer practice. Before I reached the doors, C.C. caught up with me.

“Delyla. Hey, I wanted to give you these.” He handed me a pair of tickets.

“What are these for?” I slung my bag over my shoulder.

“They’re for the play this Friday. A thank you for helping me land Liza.”

I smiled. “Thanks. I can’t wait to see it.”

“So, how are you doing since your break up with Rex? I haven’t really had a chance to talk with you lately.”

“I-I’m doing okay. Trying to stay busy.” I unzipped my bag and slid the tickets inside.

“Are you going to prom?”

“No. I decided to skip out this year.”

His eyes widened. “Wait a second. You just saved up money to get your dress. That was the whole reason you agreed to help with the Romeo Club. Not to mention, your fall from grace for hanging out with us.”

I shrugged. “It’s okay. I can always use it next year.”

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with the real Delyla Denson?” His arms folded across his chest.

“I’m a changed woman. But seriously, it’s fine. Really.”

His brow furrowed and I could tell he didn’t believe me. “Well, maybe you could return the dress and get tickets for Fantasy Con.”

I grinned. “Now that, sounds like a good idea. Tickets go on sale in the next week. I’ve been wanting to go for years. And I could get a phantom mage costume.”

“I still don’t think you should skip prom.” He brushed his red bangs off his forehead. “Maybe you could do both.”

“Why are you so worried about me going to prom?” I scuffed my cleat across the tiled floor, which would likely ensue the wrath of the janitorial staff.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I just want to make sure you don’t regret missing it. And I feel bad because you worked so hard to get all of us dates and now you don’t have one.”

“I’ll be fine. I promise. But listen, I have to get to practice or Coach Rafferty will have a cow. And, trust me, you don’t want to see that birthing process.”

He waved and I rushed out the door.

When I got to the practice fields, I dropped my bag on the sideline and rushed out to where Kenadi sat stretching her legs.

“You’re cutting it close.” She eyed Coach, who stood like a prison guard checking her watch.

“C.C. caught me in the hall. He gave me tickets for his play Friday. So, I hope you don’t have any plans.”

“I do now.” She stood and did a lunge forward and continued to stretch.

“Okay, ladies. Bring it in. We’ve got lots to work on today.”

“Geez, I hate it when she says that.” Kenadi groaned. “We beat Forest Hills, yesterday. What more could we possibly need to work on?”

“Maybe she wants to see how many laps we can do before it kills us,” I said.

“Today, we’re going to work on headers and taking shots from further out. You played well yesterday, but with district playoffs next week, we need to be prepared. You got to want this ladies. I can teach the game, but I can’t give you the heart.”

That was one of Coach’s favorite sayings. One we lived, breathed, and played by. And although she annoyed the crap out of me, I agreed with her. Even though every other aspect of my life seemed screwed up, soccer was still my one constant. My life. On the field, I forgot it all. It was just me. My opponent. The ball. And the goal.

Mom used to tease me if someone cut me open, they’d find soccer turf in my blood.

Coach had us line up to do sprints. With my ball at my feet, I threw myself full force into the game. And for today, that was all I needed.

Chapter 31

I tugged my gym uniform over my head and tossed it into my locker then reached for my jeans. Portia came over to me, her hair damp with sweat.

“I know we haven’t talked since everything happened,” she said, resting a hand on my locker door. “What you did was kind of crappy where Rex was concerned. However, I think it’s nice that you helped Trey and his friends out. I mean, Trey must’ve liked me a lot if he was willing to pay you to help him win me over.” She smiled. “He’s such a sweetheart, and since I know you two are friends, I want to call a truce. We’ll obviously be spending more time together, so I want us to get along. No hard feelings?” She held her hand out to me.

I took it and gave it a shake. “No hard feelings. And Portia, I really am sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt.” I released her fingers and tore my gaze away. “But I don’t think you’ll have to worry about things being weird because Trey and I don’t really hang out anymore. We actually haven’t talked since everything happened.”

“Oh. I-I didn’t know that. I’m sure things will be back to normal soon. He talks about you all the time. Between you and me, I think he misses you. But anyway, I better get dressed so I’m not late.” She hurried away, leaving me staring after her with my mouth agape.

Okay, that was strange. I tugged my socks and shoes on then headed for my next hour class.

***

Kenadi sat in the passenger seat, as I drove us to the school for C.C.’s play. “It’s weird having you drive us. I’m so used to bringing us everywhere.”

“Mom gave me gas money.” I laughed. “Besides, I invited you tonight, so I figured I’d play chauffer.”

The lot was packed and we ended up having to park in the back row, which made me regret the heels I wore. When we climbed out, I grabbed my purse, then untwisted the straps of my blue-green sundress.

We hurried to the sidewalk then followed it into the school, right to the auditorium doors. There was already a line waiting to get in. I saw Drake and Chloe ahead of us and waved. They looked so cute together. Her auburn hair was piled atop her hair in curls. My brother had a protective arm around her shoulders.

Kenadi adjusted her red cardigan, and tugged her black skirt back into place. “I so hate skirts. I always feel like it’s going to fly up and give everyone a nice view of my butt.”

“Tell me about it. Any second now, I half expect to have a wardrobe malfunction.” I pulled the low cut fabric of my neckline back together.

“Maybe the paparazzi will get a good shot.” She laughed.

When the line inched forward, a lady took our tickets and handed us a program. As we got inside the auditorium, Drake and Chloe flagged us over.

“Hey,” I said. “Thanks for saving us seats.” I glanced further down the row to see Kevin and Melanie holding hands. Kevin smiled, and I gave him a thumbs up.

“No problem. We’ve just gotta save two on the end for Trey and Portia.”

“Okay.” I glanced at Kenadi.

“Here, swap me spots that way you don’t have to be right next to them.” She moved around me so I’d sit beside Chloe instead.

“Thanks.”

“Hello? BFF, remember?” She grinned.

Drake stood and looked around the room. A few minutes later, he waved his arms again. I glanced over and saw Trey walk in with Portia on his arm. When he saw my brother he waved back, but pointed to two seats further up.

My brother seemed baffled as he took a seat. “What’s got into him lately? I swear he’s been avoiding us ever since he started dating Portia,” he said.

I shrugged.

But Ken leaned over. “Now that was a total asshole move. Even for him.”

“It’s fine. Besides, I have all my friends right here.” I leaned my head on her shoulder.

The lights dimmed, and the curtains opened to show a faux historic town. As soon as the play started, I opened my program. Romeo and Juliet. I didn’t fail to see the irony in this. Because I felt like Juliet—I sacrificed everything for love. The play began and we watched the different scenes unfold. I had to admit, Liza made a perfect Juliet. And C.C. blew me away with his part of Romeo.

Glen Adder, who played Mercutio stood on the stage with C.C., who was Romeo.

C.C. paced in front of Glen. “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough. Too rude, too boist’rous; and it pricks like a thorn.”

Wasn’t that the truth?

Glen answered, “If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. Give me a case to put my visage in. A visor for a visor! What care I? What curious eye doth quote deformities? Here are the beetle brows shall blush for me.”

On the scene went, until Romeo and Juliet met at the ball. Kenadi leaned closer.